Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, BMW

There was a time, not too long ago, when a BMW M-badged vehicle was feared. In the late 1990s, the E36 M3 Coupe was often regarded as the best-handling two-door on the planet and its sibling, the E36 M3 Sedan, was the fastest four-door in showrooms. The droptop M Roadster offered a viable alternative to a Porsche 911 Cabriolet, while the bad-to-the bone E39 M5 ran without peers thanks to its 400-horsepower V8 .

Today’s M models offer excellent performance, but the bar has been raised so high that cheaper upstarts like Mitsubishi and Subaru can give them a run for the money on tracks, not to mention surging premium competitors like Audi and arch rival, Mercedes-Benz and their AMG offerings. Kay Segler, the new chief of BMW’s performance-oriented M brand, has taken notice. However, instead of pushing the well-respected division to the head of the pack with even greater levels of performance, Segler says it is time to rethink what his division stands for – meaning BMW M may no longer offer the fastest or most powerful cars possible.

“The measurement of 0 to 100 (km/h) isn’t as much a thrill anymore,” Segler tells TheDetroitBureau.com. He goes on to explain that it’s how a car feels via the driver’s “butt-o-meter” matters more. Furthermore, he says the performance M brand needs to shift directions. “We want to make M young again.” Segler’s goal “is to go towards affordability and freshness.” Those are big changes considering the current M lineup represents the flagship of each model range – priced accordingly – along with gigantic SUVs like the 5,368-pound X5 M. Undeterred by the news, we are still holding our breath for a production version of the Concept 1 Series Tii.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

BMW M looking to be more youthful, get more affordable? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M looking to be more youthful, get more affordable?

Filed under: Sedan, China, BMW, Luxury

If there’s one thing a Mandarin enjoys, it’s being chauffeured. And because China has no small number of the world’s Mandarins, BMW has created a long-wheelbase 5 Series exclusively built in and provided for that market. The model is produced in BMW’s Shenyang plant, where it’s given an extra 5.5 inches for the rear passengers who travel in “luxurious grand touring comfort” due to the rear axle tailored to each model. These CDM specials even get a bespoke rear seat.

Three engines are to be offered in outputs starting at 204 horsepower and going up to 306 hp. You can check out all the info in the presser and videos after the jump, and get good looks at 7 Series-sized 5 Series in our high-res gallery below.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Big Stretch: BMW reveals long-wheelbase 5 Series for China [w/video]

Big Stretch: BMW reveals long-wheelbase 5 Series for China [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Stretch: BMW reveals long-wheelbase 5 Series for China [w/video]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Technology, BMW, Rumormill

We were all wondering how BMW was going to manage to bring its Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept to the road, and now it looks like we may have our answer. According to Autocar, elements of the wild diesel-electric sports car will crop up in the next-generation M6. The report claims that the company will send the efficient drivetrain packing in favor of a more robust twin-turbo V8 powerplant sourced from the current M3.

Why would BMW be interested in crafting the M6 into a mid-engine, V8 terror? It might just have something to do with the rabid success of the Audi R8, but Autocar thinks a similar model would allow BMW to do battle with Porsche 911 and the oft-rumored baby Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It all sounds good floating around the interweb, but color us skeptical.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Next BMW M6 to take cues from Vision concept, targets Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next BMW M6 to take cues from Vision concept, targets Audi R8

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Technology, BMW, Rumormill

We were all wondering how BMW was going to manage to bring its Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept to the road, and now it looks like we may have our answer. According to Autocar, elements of the wild diesel-electric sports car will crop up in the next-generation M6. The report claims that the company will send the efficient drivetrain packing in favor of a more robust twin-turbo V8 powerplant sourced from the current M3.

Why would BMW be interested in crafting the M6 into a mid-engine, V8 terror? It might just have something to do with the rabid success of the Audi R8, but Autocar thinks a similar model would allow BMW to do battle with Porsche 911 and the oft-rumored baby Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It all sounds good floating around the interweb, but color us skeptical.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Next BMW M6 to take cues from Vision concept, targets Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next BMW M6 to take cues from Vision concept, targets Audi R8

Filed under: Car Buying, Wagon, Etc., Videos, BMW, Humor

If this isn’t the very best used car ad ever, it is certainly up there – definitely the most inspired we have seen in a very long time.

Young Casey wants to move this 1994 BMW 530i Touring, and he’s using a bit of Michael Ceraesque geekiness to do it. He’s totally honest about its 194,218 miles, leaky sunroof and broken cigarette lighter, as well as its Ultimate Power and Extreme Sound. Except for that rear seat speaker. Follow the jump for a beautiful dose of entertainment. We do one question for Casey, though: um, what’s that sign in the trunk about? Hat tip to Jon!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Best used car classified ad ever?

Video: Best used car classified ad ever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Best used car classified ad ever?

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, BMW

In the luxury utility vehicle segment, the saying “less is more” rarely applies. And BMW promises us that the 2011 X5 will deliver more power, more luxury and more refinement. But the X5 will also come with the “less” as well, as in 10 percent less fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

For 2011, BMW has revised the fourth-generation X5′s now all-turbo engine offerings and added a standard eight-speed automatic to a vehicle that reportedly contains nearly 4,000 parts that are all new. And thanks to some pretty remarkable work at the company’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, production of the new model commenced over the course of a single weekend. In short, BMW utilized a process that it calls “digital changeover” to stop production of the 2010 X5 on March 19 without slowing production at all, and just two days later on March 22, production examples of the 2011 model were flowing down the assembly line.

Beyond the multitude of powertrain changes under the hood of the 2011 X5, Bobby Hitt, (deep breath) Department Manager for Corporate Affairs, BMW Manufacturing Co, points out that the exterior received quite a bit of rework as well. “The new model X5 features exterior design changes including new front and rear bumpers, new front fenders, new headlights and new tail lights. This adaptation significantly enhances the presence of the new X5, making it look fresher and more elegant.” Hit the jump to read over the BMW press release.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2011 BMW X5 comes on-line in Spartanburg, SC

2011 BMW X5 comes on-line in Spartanburg, SC originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

On the whole, we’re pretty impressed with the 2011 BMW 5 Series, and after conducting our first drive in Portugal, we’re confident that the F10 Fiver will make its way to the head of the class once again. Next week, the car will officially debut for the North American public at the New York Auto Show, and it will officially go on sale in June of this year, priced from $50,475 for the 535i and $60,575 for the 550i (including $875 for destination and handling).

The first key item to note is the base prices for both models are actually less than the current cars (only slightly, truth be told). However, in true German business-class luxury form, it’s the options list that’ll get you. Naturally, you’ll want to shell out $2,200 for the Sport Package, and we’d recommend adding $2,700 for the Dynamic Handling Package, as well. Other fancy-shmancy add-ons include the usual Premium ($1,800, 535i only) or Premium 2 ($4,900/$2,800, 535i/550i) packages, Nappa leather ($2,450/$1,000), rear-seat entertainment ($2,200), integral active steering ($1,750), active cruise control ($2,400) and night vision with pedestrian detection ($2,600). The full list of options is available after the jump.

Still, even with the exhaustive options list, the 5 Series is competitively priced against its key competitors – the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. And with a choice of two turbocharged engines, top-notch interior refinement and some shiny new sheetmetal, we’re sure that prospective 5 Series owners will be quite pleased.

Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: BMW]

Continue reading 2011 BMW 5 Series priced from $50,475*

2011 BMW 5 Series priced from $50,475* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 BMW 5 Series priced from $50,475*

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

Even though BMW recently unveiled the hot new Alpina B7 at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the fun won’t stopped there. At next week’s New York Auto Show, Ze Germans will debut a second iteration of the B7, equipped with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system.

Like the standard Alpina package, the B7 xDrive will be available on both the short- and long-wheelbase 7 Series. Official pricing hasn’t been released, but based on the non-Alpina 7 Series models, adding xDrive to the B7 should add roughly $3,000 to the sticker. BMW’s press release is available after the jump, and stay tuned for the full details from the New York show floor next week.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading All-wheel-drive BMW Alpina B7 xDrive slated for New York debut

All-wheel-drive BMW Alpina B7 xDrive slated for New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Etc., Videos, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus

“Topless Drag Race! Audi vs BMW vs Infiniti vs Lexus.” That’s the title of Motor Trend‘s latest video. The way we see it, there are three possibilities based on MT’s title of this video… (A) Topless women drag racing cars. (B) A drag race between convertibles. (C) A drag race to determine which convertible stows its top the fastest. Guess which one is the reality.

Sure, it may not be as interesting to watch as either option A or B, but option C is likely of more importance to the average convertible driver who happens to be trapped in an unplanned downpour. Or, alternatively, if that weatherman-speculated downpour never actually comes to fruition… in which case you apparently want to be in the Audi. Not surprising, really, as the Audi is the only one of the quartet that comes with a soft top in lieu of the more fashionable folding hardtop. See for yourself in the video posted after the break.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Video: MT performs topless drag race that’s less interesting than it sounds

Video: MT performs topless drag race that’s less interesting than it sounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: MT performs topless drag race that’s less interesting than it sounds

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Coupe, Etc., BMW, Humor, Luxury

No, this isn’t a joke. Really. Automotive News reports that BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer shared this statistic during a call with analysts last week. It is unclear where this information came from within BMW, but it still comes as a staggering surprise that 80 (eighty!) percent of 1 Series owners believe that they are living with front-wheel drive.

As we reported earlier, BMW is planning to bring front-wheel-drive vehicles to market in the near future, and the automaker is worried that it might confuse customers by adding these new products to the rear-drive-only lineup.

Guess not.

We firmly believe that all current 1 Series owners who think their car is front-wheel drive should hand over their keys immediately… to us.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

The craziest damn thing you’ll hear today: 80% of BMW 1 Series owners think their car is FWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The craziest damn thing you’ll hear today: 80% of BMW 1 Series owners think their car is FWD